Friday 18 December 2015

While the rest of the world revels in going to see Star Wars, I'm here in hospital.

And West Michigan is beset by The Great December 18th Snow Storm. Well, maybe not so great. It's just memorable because since before Thanksgiving, the daytime weather has been in the 40s, 50s, even 60s. Way above the average for this time of year. The snow was supposed to begin by 11am, but Grand Rapids was in the 1"-2" range. West towards the lake and south of us could get 2"-4". All variable due to the capriciousness of lake effect snow.

I noticed outside my window that by ten we had big flakes randomly blowing around. More up than down. Mrs. Dr. Phil showed up, no problems on the roads in from Allendale. Around one or so it got serious enough to coat the grass with a coating of snow. At one point the air was full of snow. But soon it ended and I haven't seen snow since.

But that doesn't mean there wasn't trouble elsewhere, as a snow burst laid down ice north of Grand Rapids:

ALGOMA TOWNSHIP, MI -- Drivers involved in a large pileup Friday on U.S. 131 described frightening scenes and near-misses as dozens of vehicles crashed in whiteout conditions.

"It's the worst thing I've ever seen," said Laurie Rejc as she waited for a rental car with her family at a commuter lot off 14 Mile Road.

More than 50 cars were involved in the 2:30 p.m. pileup on southbound U.S. 131 south of 17 Mile in Algoma Township. State police are working to determine a final number of vehicles involved and say, surprisingly, that only two to three people were injured.

So, does this mean a white Christmas? Not from this. It'll be sunny Saturday and Sunday will be back up near 50°.